Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, NATO Secretary General Discuss Cooperation.
Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer discussed cooperation and EuroAtlantic integration of Ukraine. Leonid Kuchma congratulated Scheffer on his appointment, voicing hope for more active cooperation. "With our target plan (Ukraine-NATO) and our peacekeeping operation we wish to emphasize that we are determined to seriously move towards NATO," Kuchma said. In his turn, Scheffer pointed out Ukraine's achievements on this path, and assured of adherence of the Alliance to strategic partnership with Ukraine. In this connection, he pointed out the importance of the 2004 Target Plan, describing it as ambitious and containing everything necessary for rapprochement between Ukraine and NATO. Kuchma and Scheffer also discussed NATO's peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, and expressed concern over aggravation of interethnic strife in the region. They also discussed the situation in Iraq, and Scheffer pointed out Ukraine's peace-making role in maintaining security in many countries. Scheffer and Kuchma also discussed Ukraine's vision of the Transdniesterian conflict settlement, which, in the President's view, must be maxim balanced, taking into account the interests of all parties, and aimed at preserving Moldova's territorial integrity. Kuchma and Scheffer also spoke about the signing of a Memorandum between Ukraine and NATO about the use of its strategic aviation in operations and maneuvers of the Alliance. Scheffer expressed interest in signing this document.
|
